Massachusetts Leaders Applaud Final Report of the Commission on Combating Antisemitism
First-in-the-Nation Report Emphasizes Education, Allyship, and Safety Measures
BOSTON — Today, Massachusetts legislative leaders and the Healey-Driscoll Administration stood together to commend the Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism and its work to address antisemitic incidents and strengthen protections against discrimination and harassment.
The Commission put forward a multi-pronged approach to combating antisemitism, including strengthening education and awareness, highlighting best practices for responding to antisemitic incidents, fostering allyship across religious communities, and enhancing safety for Jewish institutions and places of worship.
"It was very important to me to highlight the good work of the Special Commission on Combatting Antisemitism—especially as the recent horrific violence in Bondi Beach, Australia, has given new urgency to the need to stand up to antisemitic hate," stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "I would like to thank all of the commissioners, especially Senator John Velis, who could not be here today because he is on active duty defending our country and its freedoms. With the release of this nation-leading report, we now have a set of concrete, actionable steps to share with educators, public safety officials, community leaders and others so that we can all fight against darkness and hate and for light and humanity. I am so grateful to my partner in the House, Speaker Mariano, as well as Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Treasurer Goldberg, Representative Cataldo, Commissioner Burton and, of course, Senator Velis for standing up for the people of Massachusetts and making clear that hate will never have a home here."
“I want to thank Representative Cataldo and the Massachusetts Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism for their thoughtful work and recommendations to understand and combat the alarming rise in antisemitic incidents that have taken place in the Commonwealth, consistent with a concerning national trend,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “As elected officials, we have a responsibility to ensure that hate in all forms is rejected. That’s why I’m grateful for the Commission’s work, as it will help to ensure that Massachusetts remains a leader in the effort to build a more tolerant and accepting America.”
“While we grieve those who were murdered in Sydney over the weekend in a horrific act of antisemitic violence, we are standing together here in Massachusetts today to declare that we will not let antisemitism go unchecked — ever,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This report is a critical guide for educating our children, building a better understanding of the Jewish experience, and making it clear that antisemitism has no place in Massachusetts. I'm grateful for the hard work of Senator Velis and Representative Cataldo and all members of the Commission.”
“We want our Jewish community to feel safe and welcomed in Massachusetts, always and everywhere,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This report contains thoughtful and actionable recommendations for how we can do that — and how we can stop antisemitism in its tracks in Massachusetts. We look forward to working with our schools and communities to share knowledge of history and where antisemitism leads, while also uplifting the Jewish experience and Jewish contributions for all to see and celebrate.”
“Antisemitism is becoming louder, more visible, and more dangerous in our communities. It quickly turns from words into fear and violence,” said Treasurer Deborah Goldberg. “The tragic events in Bondi show why silence is not an option. The Commission’s recommendations provide clear, practical steps to confront antisemitism, protect free speech, and ensure everyone feels safe, respected, and included.”
The final report, released on December 1, included recommended paths forward for K–12 education, higher education, public safety and law enforcement, workplace, and healthcare settings. The report was informed by more than 50 hours of testimony from 16 statewide public meetings, along with Massachusetts- and U.S.-specific data.
“Massachusetts has a long-standing history of pushing back on forms of hate and injustice towards vulnerable groups. The Jewish residents across our Commonwealth deserve the exact same support we have shown other groups and the time to take action is now,” shared Senator John Velis, Co-Chair of the Special Commission during his remarks on the Senate floor on the amendment to create the Commission. “Tragically, antisemitism continues to not only exist but is becoming increasingly normalized. I am proud to be a part of a legislative body that is willing to overwhelmingly speak out in the strongest possible way against it and educate others about the harm that it is causing.”
“The release of the Special Commission’s final report marks a turning point in Massachusetts’ fight against antisemitism and all forms of discrimination,” said Representative Simon Cataldo, Co-Chair of the Special Commission. “We have already seen strong adherence to the Commission’s preliminary K–12 recommendations in many schools, and I look forward to working with stakeholders across the Commonwealth—in every sector covered in the final report—to fully implement the report's recommendations.”
“This first in the nation antisemitism commission, and the broad and clear support of our elected leaders and the stakeholders who participated in this work have sent a message loud and clear that, at least here in Massachusetts, our neighbors and our civic leaders want and welcome us here as we are, in all our diversity, and without compromising any parts of our identities,” said Jeremy Burton, Member of the Commission and Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston.
The Commission was the first of its kind in the nation created by a Legislature to conduct a comprehensive statewide assessment of how antisemitism affects residents and to offer evidence-based recommendations to address it.
The group was created by the Legislature and signed into law by Governor Healey in 2024, after the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety & Security’s report on hate crimes identified a 70 percent increase in incidents of anti-Jewish crime.
FBI data found that 84.4% of religious bias hate crimes in the Commonwealth were committed against Jews, who make up approximately 5% of the population.
Today’s gathering came amid a duality of celebration and mourning for Jewish communities in Massachusetts and around the world, as families honor the light and resilience of Hanukkah while simultaneously grieving the victims of the antisemitic murders in Bondi Beach, Australia.
###
Statements of Support
David Friedman, Commissioner
“Our Commission work is a ray of light in these dark times when antisemitism and Jew hatred is exploding around the world, including here at home. I'm deeply and forever grateful to Governor Healey for appointing me to the Commission, to the Governor, Lt. Governor Driscoll, Senate President Spilka, Speaker Mariano, Attorney General Campbell, Treasurer Goldberg, and so many other Massachusetts leaders for their dedication to fighting antisemitism, and to Rep. Cataldo and Sen. Velis and my other fellow Commissioners for their leadership and our work together. The work goes on. Light will shine.”
Chief Thomas W. Fowler, Commissioner
“It was an honor and a privilege to serve on this Commission and work alongside my fellow commissioners. Chairmen Velis and Cataldo demonstrated strong leadership, guiding the Commission through the critically important—and at times complex—issues surrounding antisemitism. Personally, this was an enlightening experience, and I am proud of the final report and its meaningful recommendations. I urge the Senate and House of Representatives to give these recommendations serious consideration and move toward implementation to help combat antisemitism across the Commonwealth.”
Jaimie Hoag, Commissioner
“I want to thank the more than two-hundred people who took time to testify during our sixteen public hearings. Many shared their personal, often emotional, stories about how antisemitism has impacted – and continues to impact – them, their families, and their communities. These powerful stories motivated every commission member to develop the thoughtful recommendations in our final report. I want to thank Attorney General Campbell for appointing me to the commission and for the work that she and all my colleagues in the Attorney General’s Office do every day to combat antisemitism and hate in all its forms.”
Dara Kaufman, Commissioner
“I was humbled to bear witness to the experiences and expertise shared, and proud to help ensure those voices shaped our work. The seriousness of this task was never lost on us, and this final report reflects both the complexity of antisemitism and a clear, actionable path forward.”
District Attorney Paul F. Tucker, Commissioner
“Serving on the Commission was a truly great experience and I am proud of the work we accomplished. I am particularly pleased with the recommendations regarding Education and Public Safety and the positive impacts they will have on residents across the Commonwealth.”
Robert Leikind, Commissioner
“The Commission was a bold initiative that took the problem of antisemitism out of the shadows and made it visible for all to see. Today we better understand how antisemitism is impacting Jewish lives and diminishing the health of communities in which we all live. The Commission has provided a clear roadmap for confronting this problem. Now, it is for us to lean into the necessary work and set an example for states across the nation.”
Erin Hashimoto-Martell, Commissioner
“This final report will be an important resource for us at the state level and for districts and schools. Antisemitism and other forms of hate and bias are unacceptable in any form. All students deserve to feel seen, valued, safe and welcome at school.”
Jill Hai, Commissioner
“I am grateful for the foresight and commitment that created this first in the nation commission, and for the dedicated work of so many people whose efforts contributed to this report. The report is both a record and an actionable document which we hope will be of direct use to all the municipalities and school districts of the commonwealth in their ever more urgent work in combatting antisemitism”
Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, Commissioner
“Uniting across the Commonwealth to combat antisemitism is critically important. The work of the Commission both substantively and symbolically moves us forward in this effort.”
Representative Steven Howitt, Commissioner
“I want to thank the Governor and the Legislature for establishing this commission to bring to light antisemitic issues prevalent within the Commonwealth. With the leadership of Chair John Velis, Chair Simon Cataldo, and the members of the commission, I feel that this report is comprehensive, and I hope that these recommendations will be addressed and that this report will be a blueprint for other states to follow.”
Adam Chapdelaine, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA)
"The MMA is grateful to Representative Cataldo, Senator Velis, and all members of the Special Commission for their steadfast work on this important issue. This report provides an important framing and roadmap for cities, towns, and community members in preventing and responding to antisemitic incidents."